Amplify: Youssi Farag Awarded Patriot Award by Department of Defense Program

Youssi Farag, Citizens Bank of Edmond (CBE) chief financial officer, was presented with the Patriot Award by Tom Patt of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a program of the Department of Defense.

The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve program recognized the Citizens Bank of Edmond’s chief financial officer for her support.

At a ceremony this week, Jill Castilla, president and chief executive officer of CBE, pinned Farag with the Patriot Award lapel, and Patt presented her with the certificate of achievement signifying this esteemed honor.

Captain Kirsten Strickler, a senior credit analyst and portfolio manager, and Captain Christina Sanders, accounting manager, nominated Farag for this award. Both Strickler and Sanders are active in the Oklahoma National Guard.

Castilla also signed a statement of support which pledges that CBE will continue to promote, recognize and support service members, guardsman, reservist veterans and their families in peace, in crises and in war. 15% of Citizens Bank of Edmond’s staff are either veterans of the armed forces or are currently serving.

The ESGR awards the Patriot Award to individual supervisors who show excellence in supporting citizen warriors through a wide range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families and granting leaves of absence if
needed. Any employee serving in the National Guard or Reserve may nominate individual supervisors to be recognized for their support of the service member and his or her family.

The intent of the ESGR program is to increase employer support by encouraging employers to act as advocates for employee participation in the military.